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A. R4. KETGHAM.

STOP 000K B0X POR WATER 0R GAS PRES. No. 296,181.

N. PETERS, Pmmurmgnvhan wuhngmm D: i;

PATENT ALONZO R. KETCHAM, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

STOP-COCK B'OX FOR WATER OR GAS-PIPES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 296,181, dated Apri1 l. 1884.

Application filed October 20, 1883. (No model.)

and State oi New York, have invented a new and useilui Improvement in Stop-Cock Boxes for Water or Gas Pipes, of which the following is a specilication. v

This invention relates to an improvement in the boxes or tubular cases which are employed in connection with water or gas supply pipes, and which extend from the water or gas pipes to the surface ofthe ground, for thepurpose ofgiviug access to the stop-cocks arranged in the service-pipes and for similar purposes. As these pipes are arranged at varying depths below the suri'aceot' the ground, it is desirable that these boxes or casings should be extensible, so that they can be lengthened and shortened, as may he required in each particular case to it the box or casing to the location of the pipe with which it is to be used.

My invention consists, more particularly, of the improved construction of these boxes or casings, whereby they can be readily lengthened and shortened, as will be hereinafter fuliy setforth, and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved stop-cock box or casing. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section oi' the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the upper portion oi' the box with the cover removed. Figs. a and 5 are horizontal sections of the box on an enlargedV scale.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the upper part of the box; B, the lower portion thereof; and C, the cover, secured to the open end of the upper part, A. The two parts A and B of the box or casing are made tubular in form, and the lower part, B, being somewhat smaller in diameter than the upper part, A, so that the upper part, A, can be raised andlowered on the lower part, B, as may be required in lengthening and shortening the box. The outer surface of the inner or lower part, B, is made elliptical or slightly elongated in cross-section, and the iuner surface of the outer or upper part, A, is made of similar form, so that when the two parts A and B are placed with their long axes in line, as represented in Fig. 4, the upper part, A, will play freely on the part B, and

can be raised and lowered thereon, as may be required. By turningl the upper part, A, the coincidence on the long axes of the contiguous surfaces of the paris A and B is broken, and the upper part, A, is wedged with its inner elongated surface against the outer elongated surface of the lower part, B, as represented iu Fig. 5. This wedging of one elliptical surface against the other produces a friction between the parts, whichsecurely clamps the upper movable part against the lower stationary part of the box, and retains the parts in any desired relative position. By a reverse movement of the upper part, A, the latter is released, when it can be raised and lowered on the lower part, B. The lower portion of the lower part, B. is provided with the usual foot or base Bange, D, and openings E, which straddle the service-pipe. When the lower part, B, has been placed in position on the servicepipe, the upper part# A, is lowered on the lower part, B, until it has reached the desired position, when, by a slight turn of the upper part it is locked in position.

f represents flanges formed around the upper edge of the upper part, A, and having inclined or spiral lower faces, f.

g represents hooks or lips projecting inwardly from the marginal flange c of the cover C, and engaging under the inclined'lower faces of the flangesf.

h represents openings formed between the ilanges j', through which the lips g can pass in applying the cover C to the upper end of the upper part, A, ofthe box.

By passing the lips g of the cover through the openings h, and giving the cover a partial turn in the proper direction, the cover is secured to the upper end of the upper part, A, while by a reverse movement it is released.

I claim as my invention- An extensible box or casing composed of two telescopic parts constructed with elliptical contiguous surfaces, substantially as set forth.

fitness my hand this 18th day of October, 1883.

ALONZO K. KETCHAM.

Witnesses:

J No. J. Bowman, CARL F. GEYER. 

